Paper-feeding machine.



V. GARNER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHINE.

' APPLICATION FILED NOV. I6, 1912.

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PAPER FEEDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED NOV-16, 1912.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

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' Zbwwegges v. GARNER. PAPER FEEDI NG MACHINE. APPLICATION HLED NOV-l6, 1912-7 Patented Feb. 8,1916;

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v. GARNER.

PAPER FEEDING MACHlNE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 16, I912.

Patented Feb. 8,1916,

1 6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

VERNON GARNER, OE BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED PRINTING MACHINERY COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

' PAPER-FEEDING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.-

Application filed November 16, 1912. Serial No. 731,862.

To all whom it may camera:

Feeding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Thls invention relates to machines for feeding paper sheets one at a time from a bank or pile .to a press or other paper-handling machine.

The invention comprises improvements in various mechanisms which operate upon the sheets and which control and insure the delivery of the sheets.

Of the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the more prominent elements of the. paper-feeding mechanism, the same being shown in operative relation to the cylinder of a paper-handling machine such as a printing press. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation; on a larger scale, from the opposite side of one form of combing mechanism and controlling mechanism therefor. Fig. 3 represents an elevation, partly in section, of the combing mechanism and controlling mechanism included in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents a top plan view of portions of the mechanism included in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 represents an elevation, partly in section, of a portion of the controlling mechanism included in Fig. 3. Fig. 6 represents a side elevation of a front gage which is actuated by the drop-roll mechanism. Fig. 7 represents an elevation of mechanism for lifting two combing devices. Fig. 8 represents a side elevation of double-spring lifting mechanism for primary and auxiliary combing devices. 'Fig. 9 represents a top plan view of the doublespring lifting mechanism. Fig. 10 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of means for automatically controlling the auxiliary combing mechanism. Fig. 11

represents, on a smaller scale, one of the auxiliary combing devices and means" for positively lifting the same, the relative position of the cam coinciding with that of v the cam in Fig. 10. Fig. 12 represents a view similar to Fig. 10, showing the parts in a different position. Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the cam in a position coinciding with that of the cam in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is anotherview similar to Fig. 10 but showing the parts in still another position. Fig. 15 is another view similar to Figs. -11 and 13 but showing the cam in the position which coincides with that in Fig. 14.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts wherever they o ccur.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the combing mechanism is indicated as a whole at A, and the machine to which the sheets are to be fed 1s represented conventionally by the circle B, WlllCh may be regarded as the cylinder of a press or other paper-handling machine' The sheets are separated, as usual, from a plle or from a feathered bank, as the case may be, by the combing mechanism A and are conveyed therefrom to the machine B by -conveying mechanism indicated as a whole at C. The conveying mechanism includes the usual endless tapesand rolls, a slowdown device D, transmission shafts 142, 200, and gearing 204. The mechanism represented as a whole at E and" including a feeler 212 is "for disconnecting the power from the entire mechanism in case there is no sheet at the front gages 210 at the time when there ought to be one. A detector, indicated as a whole-at F, is provided for arresting the sheets on the conveyer in case two or more sheets should pass on to the conveyer one upon another.

The conveyer mechanism is mounted upon a stationary frame or support G upon which it is movable toward and from the machine B so that itmay be retracted to facilitate access to the machine B or to the mechanism at the delivery end of the conveyer. For this purpose the frame H of the conveyer mechanism is provided with rolls or trucks 7:. which are adapted to roll upon the bed 9 0f the stationary frame G.

It will be understood that the machine will be provided with duplicate mechanisms wherever the same are necessary, in accordance with the usual practice, but that such duplication is avoided in the drawing because the general character of such machines is well known andthe operation will be understood without such duplication.

Oombing mechahism.-The combing mechanism shown byFigs. 2 and 3 is controlled by one form of controlling mechanism, whilethatshown by Figs. 7, 8 and 9 is controlled 1 by other controlling mechanism. Referring to that shown by Figs. 2 and 3, the combing mechanism comprises combing wheels 20 hereinafter specified the primary combing wheels, and combing wheels 21 hereinafter specified the auxiliary combing wheels. The machine is provided with at least two primary combing wheels which are disposed abreast of each other and the primary combing wheels fail to comb the top sheet to the conveyer mechanism at the required speed. Each primary combing wheel is afiixed to a shaft22, and the ends of this shaft are journaled in the free ends of arms such as that indicated at 23. The arms are affixed to a sleeve 24. (See Fig. 10). tinuously by any suitable driving mechanism, which does not require description. Each auxiliary combing wheel 21 is afiixed to a shaft 25 which is journaled in the free ends of arms such as that indicated at 26. These arms. are aflixed to a rockshaft 27 which extends through the sleeve 24. The sleeve and the rockshaft are movable independently of each other so that each primary combing wheel is adapted to rise and fall independently of the auxiliary combing wheel.

One of the arms 26 for the auxiliary combing wheel has an extension 28 which is adapted to be engaged by a pawl or latch 29 for the purpose of supporting the auxiliary combing wheel out of contact with the sheets of paper. The latch 29 is controlled and operated as hereinafter described to release the auxiliary combing wheel so that it may assist in the combing operation whenever the primary combing wheel requires such assistance. The combing wheels are lifted from the sheets by spring-actuated mechanism, which mechanism is controlled and released by the top sheet which is being combed. The spring-actuated mechanism shown by Figs. 2, 3 and 6 comprises a lever 30, a plunger rod 31, and a helical spring 32 surrounding the rod. This mechanism is duplicated so that there will be one on each side of the machine. The lever 30 is mounted upon a pivot 33 which is supported by suitable frame structure 34. One end of the plunger rod 31 is pivotally connected to the lever, while the other end of the rod bea s in a swiveled piece 35 supported by the frame. The spring 32 is compressed and arranged so that one end engages the piece 35, while the other end engages a collar 36 affixed to the rod. One end of the rod is threaded and provided with a nut 37 which The combing wheels are driven conis adapted to engage the piece 35 to limit the movement in one direction.

The lever 30 is provided with two cam surfaces which are indicated respectively at 20 and 21*. The cam surface 20 engages a roll 38 carried by an extension of one of the arms 23 of the primary combing wheel. The cam surface 21 likewise engages a roll 39 carried by an extension of one of the arms 26 of the auxiliary combing wheel. When the lever 30 is released and responds to the spring 32, the cam surfaces acting upon their respective rolls are adapted to lift both combing wheels. It will be observed that the cam surface 20* has a greater throw than cam surface 21*. This difference is to compensate for the difference in the length of the arms which support the combing wheels so that the combing wheels when lifted to the full length of their movement will be substantially the'same distance above the sheets. It will also be observed that the point of contact between each of the cam surfaces and its roll does not move appreciably although the contacting parts move. The effective leverage therefore remains substantially uniform.

' When thecom'bing wheels are in operation, the cam lever 30 is restrained by a latch 40. One end of this latch is mounted upon apivot stud 41, and the other end engages an antifriction roll 42 carried by the lever 30. The free end of the latch is formed so as to provide a shoulder 43 and a finger 44, the shoulder 43 being adapted to restrain the lever 30, and the finger 44 being adapted to rest upon the roll and thus support the latch in restraining position. The latch is tripped by mechanism which is controlled by the top sheet. A sheet-engaging member, indicated at 45, is pivotally mounted upon a stationary pivot pin 46 and is arranged so thatits' free end normally hangs in the path of the sheet. The sheet-engaging member has a finger 47 which engages an anti-friction roll 48 at the upper end of an arm 49. The normal position of the member 45 is gaged by an adjustable stop 50. The arm 49 is afiixed to a rockshaft 51 to which is also aflixed an arm 52. The latter arm is provided with a stud 53 which occupies a slot 54 in a link 55. The link is pivotally connected to the latch 40 and is adapted to transmit motion from the arm 52 to the latch to lift the latter and thus release the lever 30. The power for lifting the latch is provided by a helical spring 56 which surrounds a rod 57 and which is compressed between a collar 58, affixed to the rod, and a stationary abutment '59 which for conven ence serves as a bearing for the rod. The force of the spring 56 presses the rod upwardly, but when the finger 47 engages the roll 48 as shown by Figs. 2, 3 and 5, the stud 53 cannot move upwardly because such movement is prevented by the finger 47. It

will be observed that the free end of the finger 47 is beveled 'so that it will have a limited contact with the roll 48. It willialso 5 be observed that the point of contact is shghtly above the line which intersects the axis of the pivot 46 and the axis of the roll 48. These parts are so disposed that this point of contact must pass across the aforesaid intersecting line when the lower end of the sheet-engaging member is moved to the left bya sheet. The point of contact just described is, however, so close to the intersecting line that no considerable force is 1'3 required to carry it across the line. As soon as the point of the finger 47 has crossed the line, the roll 48 reacts upon the finger 47 because of the force exerted .by the spring 56. The spring therefore throws the finger 47 downwardly and swings the sheet-engaging member forwardly and upwarly out of the path of the sheet, and at the same time lifts the latch to release the lever 30.

It will be observed that the lower edge of the shoulder 43 of the latch is slightly below a line which would intersect the axis of the pivot,41 and the axis of the roll 42,

and that this edge of the shoulder must cross the intersecting line in order to release the 30. lever. The action at this point is similar to that just described in connection with the finger 47 Consequently, when the lower edge of the shoulderv43 has crossed the intersecting line, the force of the roll 42 reacts upon the latch, lifting the same and thus:

relieving the'li'ghter spring 56 of thatduty. When the roll 42 is-t-hu's released, the primary combing wheel is lifted, and the auxiliary combing wheel, if the-same happens 40 to be in operation, is likewise lifted. The.

movement of the roll 42 carries it'under the latch 40, thus holding "the latch in its ele vated position,- the lower surface of the latch being substantially concentric with relation 45 to the axis 32 about which the roll, 42 moves. The springactuated lifting mechanism for the combing wheels and the releasing mechanism therefor are both restored to their initial positions by a cam 60 which is aflixed to a continuously driven shaft 61.

The effective surface of the cam 60 is sufficiently broad to engage tworolls 63 and 64, one of which is carried by the lever 30 and the other of which is carried by a link 65.

' The upper end of the link is provided with engagement with the shaft 61.

effect of-the cam upon the two mecha-. nisms just described is synchronous and con sequently the roll 42 arrives at its formerposition at the same time as when thearm 52 is depressed to its lowest position. The latch 40 is therefore permitted to drop into restraining position, as shown, before the lever 30 is released by the cam 60. The lever 30 consequently must remain locked until the sheet-engaging member 45 is again I moved to trip the roll 48. a

4 Control for auxiliary combing mechanism.The mechanism for controlling the auxiliary combing means is shown by Figs.- 10 to 15. As previously stated, one of the an arms 26 which carries the auxiliary comb-- ing wheel has an'extension 28 which is engaged by a latch or pawl 29 to hold the combing wheel out of contact with the top sheet. The pawl 29 is mounted upon a fulcrum 67 and has two arms 68 and 69. The weight of the arms 68 in such that it normally overbalances the arm 69 and presses the pawl 29 against the extension 28, as indicated by an arrow. Ata certain point in each cycle of the machine, the auxiliary combing wheel is-lifted slightly above the position shown in Fig. 10, inorder to-free the pawl 29 so that it may be easily retract ed from looking. position. A This lifting mechanism, which is shown by Figs. 7, 11, 13 and 15, is also used for lifting the combing wheels from the paper when the wheels are not otherwise lifted. The lifting movement is derived from a cam'70 which is carried: by the continuously driven shaft 61. An arm 71, aflixed' to the rockshaft 27 is pivotally connected to a forked link 72 the upper end of which has sliding A cam 10 roll 76 carried 'by the link is disposed tobe engaged-by the cam 70. The sleeve 24 upon which the primary combing wheel is mounted is provided with an arm 74v (see Fig. 7), similar to the arm 71, the arm 74 being pivotally connected to a forked link 75 which has sliding engagement with the shaft 61 and which is provided with a cam roll 76 which is likewise adapted to be engaged by the cam 70. The same 'camis therefore adapted to lift both the primary and the auxiliary combing wheels.

The releasing movement of the pawl 29 is caused byafeeler 77 (see Fig. 10) which is periodically lifted and dropped by a bell-crank lever 78 loosely mounted upon the shaft 27.

- A spring 79 holds the free end of this lever against a cam 80 mounted on the continuously driven shaft 61. A pin 81 carried by the lever is adapted to engage the under surface ofthe feeler 77 to hold the feeler out p of the path of a sheet. The feeler is loosely mounted upon the shaft 27, and itsfree end is adapted to drop below the path of the sheet, as represented by dotted lines in Fig.

10. A link 82 pivotally connected to the arm 9 has a slot 83 which is occupied by a pin 84 carried by the feeler. WVhen the feeler 77 is released by the lifting pin 81, its weight is suflicient to swing the pawl .29 to the position shown by Fig. 12.- As shown byFig. 10, the feeler 77 is disposed to engage the sheet in advance of the feeding out mechanism. A high-speed feeding out roll f, with which the drop roll 92 cooperates, according to standard )ractice, is disposed between the feeler 7 and the conveyer roll .136. The purpose in disposing the feeler- 77 in advance of the feeding out means is to control the auxiliary combing means with reference to the position of the top sheet before the latter is advanced to the feeding out means.

The operation of the controlling mechanism is as follows: Referring to Fig. 10, the primary combing wheel 20 is in operation and the auxiliary combing wheel 21 is locked in its elevated position. The front edge of the top sheet is against the member and is about to trip the spring-actuated mechanism whereby the combing wheel is lifted. It will be observed that the front edge of the second sheet has a considerable distance to travel before it reaches the feeler 77. Describing the following operations in the order in which they occur,th e drop rolls will descend and cause the removal of the top sheet at a relatively rapid rate of speed. As soon as the top sheet has been fed out, the feeler 77 will be permitted to drop. Since the new top sheet has not been advanced sufficiently to support the feeler, the feeler will drop to the position indicated in dotted lines by Fig. 10. During the period when the drop rolls are in feeding position,

and also at the time when the feeler 77 is permitted to drop, the combing wheels are lifted to their highest position and held in such position by the lifting cam 70. The auxiliary combing wheel at this time is supported slightly above the point where it was formerly supported by the pawl 29,

and consequently the extension 28 (see Fig. 1 1) and pawl 29 are slightly separated, so

that the pawl will be free to be moved by the feeler when the latter drops. The formation of the cam 80 permits the feeler 7 7 to remain in its lowest position until after the lifting cam has permitted the primary and auxiliary combing wheels to descend to sheet-engaging position. Then the cam 80 lifts the feeler 77 so that the controlling mechanism will occupy the position shown by Fig. 12. Thesomewhat tardy top sheet is now undergoing the operation of both combing wheels, and will be advanced more rapidly than it would be by the primary combing wheel alone. The assistance rendered by the auxiliary combing wheel is sufficient to advance the top sheet to the feeding out means before it is time for the lifting cam 70 to positively lift the combin wheels. The auxiliary combing wheel performs the additional duty of feathering the other sheets to a greater extent than they would be feathered by the primary combing wheel alone, thus overcoming impending difiiculty before failure of the top sheet to reach the feeding out means at the desired time in the cycle of operations.

The distance between the feeler 77 and the feeding out means is no more than the distance which the top sheet would ordinarily move under the influence of the primary combing wheel alone. It is therefore assured that in nearly every cycle of operations the top sheet will reach the feeding out means in due time, provided it is in position to support the feeler at the time when the feeler is dropped, and if the top sheet is not sufficiently advanced to support the feeler when thelatter is dropped, it is assured that the auxiliary combing wheel will immediately descend with the primary combing wheel without the loss of a cycle of operations.

If the new top sheet is advanced as shown by Fig. 14 when the feeler 77 is dropped, thefeeler will be supported thereby as shown, the sheet thus preventing the release of the auxiliary combing means. It is almost certain that the primary combing means alone will be sufficient to advance the top sheet from the position shown by Fig. l t to the position shown by Fig. 10 by one operation of the combing means.

Double-spring lifting me0ham'sm.-The spring-actuated lifting mechanism shown by Figs. 8 and 9 is for lifting the combing wheels when the front edge of a sheet strikes the member 45. This mechanism is a modification of the spring-actuated lifting mechanism shown by Figs. 2 and 3. A comparison of the two forms of mechanism will be necessary to show the advantage of the form shown by Figs. 8 and 9. Referring now to the form shown by Figs. 2 and 3, a single lifting spring 32 is used for lifting both combing wheels. The force of the spring must therefore be sufficient to lift the maximum load. When the primary combing wheel alone is in operation, it is lifted with excessive force by the spring, because the spring is compressed the same degree in every cycle whether one or both combing wheels are in operation. The maximum amount of power is required in every cycle to compress the spring 32, and about one-half of this power is wasted when the auxiliary combing wheel is not in oper ation. The lifting of the primary combing wheel alone by the spring 32 will be accompanied by unnecessary noise and jarring of the mechanism.

The lifting mechanism shown by Figs. 8

and 9 requires power only in proportion to the Weight of the combing mechanism which must be lifted in each instance, and the spring mechanism acts with only about one-half the maximum lifting force when only one combing wheel must be lifted, and acts with maximum lifting force when both combing wheels must be lifted. This mechanism avoids the unnecessary noiseand jarring hereinbefore mentioned and likewise avoids the waste of power incidental to using more spring force than is necessary. In this modification the primary and auxiliary combing wheels have separate lifting springs, only one of which is permitted to operate when the primary combing wheel alone is in operation, but both of which are permitted to operate when both combing wheels are in operation. In connection with this double-spring lifting mechanism the primary and auxiliary combing wheels are again indicated respectively at 20 and 21, and their supportingarms are indicated at 23 and 26. The cam lever 30 is likewise similar to that previously described, and the restraining latch 40 is the same and is controlled by the same mechanism. Instead of the singleispring 32 for actuating the lever 30, the modification comprises two springs indicated respectively at 32 and 32 The spring 32 may be termed the primary lifting spring be cause it acts during each cycle of operaengaging a collar 36 affixed to the rod; The outer end of the ,rod is provided with a nut 37 for limiting the movement of the.

rod. This structure is in all respects similar to that shown by Fig. 2 except that the effective forceof the spring is about onehalf as greatxas that of the spring 32 in Fig. 2. v v v The auxiliary spring'32 is mounted'upon a plunger rod 31 one end of which engages the stud 31 andis-provided witha longi- =Itudinal slot 31 which enables the rod to remain stationary .in: one position when the stud 31 is moved. The other end of the .rob 31 extends through the swiveled piece 35*. The. spring 32 iszcompressed between the piece 35* and a collar 36 affixed to the The construction just described.

rod.

enables both the springs to act upon the lever 30,-but the rod 31 is adapted to be locked when the spring 32 is compressed and to remain locked when the lever 30 1s actuated by the primary lifting spring 32 without any movement of the auxiliary rod 31 and without permitting the escape of the energy stored in the auxiliary spring 32 The locking mechanism for the auxiliary rod 31 is controlled by the auxiliary combing 111621118- This mechanism comprises an,

abutment 31 on the rod 31", a locking latch 31 a rod 31, and a spring 31 The abutment 31 is in the form of a block or collar and is aflixed to the rod 31". The locking member 31 ispivota-lly mounted upon a stationary stud 31*. The upper end of the rod 31 ispivotally connected to the locking member, while the lower end of the rod extends loosely through a stud 31 carried by one of the arms 26. The spring 31 is coiled, about the rod and rests uponthe stud 31 A collar 31 aflixed to the rod rests upon the upper end of the spring. The locking member 31 is therefore supported by the arm 26 through the medium of the spring and rod. A lateral projection 31 at the free end of the locking member is adaptedto engage the abutment 31 when the locking member is lifted, but not when it is in the position shown.

The operation of the locking mechanism is as follows :When the combing wheels are lifted, the free end of the locking member 31 is likewise lifted until the portion 31 strikesthe rod 31*. The upward movement of the locking member is thereby arrested, but the auxiliary combing wheel may continue to rise to its highest position because of the yielding connection afforded by the "spring 31 With the locking member in the position'just described, the projection 31 stands in the path of the abutment 31 ,so that when the cam lever 30 is released the auxiliary rod 3'1 will move onlyas far as to cause the abutment 31 to engage the locking member. The

locking of the rod 31 does not in any -,way

prevent or affect the operation of 'the1- pri--- So long as the mary lifting spring 32 auxiliary combing wheel remains locked in its upper position by the mechanism shown in Fig. 9, it will maintain the locking mem ber 31? in locking position so that the auxiliary lifting spring 32 will remain in operative for an indefinite length of time,

during. which the primary combing means may perform an indefinite number of combing operations. Now, when the auxiliary combing wheel is in operation, the locking member 31 stands in the position shown by Fig. 8, this position being due to gravity and to the support afforded by the spring 31 If the cam lever 30 is released while the auxiliary combing wheel is in operative position, both lifting springs will act upon the lever and thus exert the necessary force to lift both combing wheels; The -cam60 restores the lifting mechanism to its initial position while the combing wheels are lifted.

locking member downwardly against the tension of the spring 31 but when the abutment 31 has passed beyond the projection 31 the latter is moved to locking position by the spring Without any movement on the part of the .arm 26. If the auxiliary combing wheel remains locked in its other position, the auxiliary lifting spring will remain locked; but whenever the auxiliary combing Wheel is permitted to drop, the projection 31 will be removed from the path of the abutment 31.

Gage for combed sheet.-Fig. 6 illustrates a front gage 85 disposed adj acent-the sheetactuated member 45 for preventing skewing of the sheet by momentum after the member 45 is actuated by the sheet. This gage has a segmental guiding surface 86 which prevents the front edge of the sheet from rising and buckling. The gage is pivotally mounted upon a stud 87 and normally hangs'so that it intersects the path of the sheet, slightly in advance of the sheet-actuated member 45. A combed sheet, after moving the member 45 to effect the retraction of the combing wheels, strikes the gage and a similar gage disposed in the same transverse line, the two gages being at opposite sides of the feeding mechanism. Each gage is connected by a link 88 with an arm 89 aflixed to a rockshaft 90. This rockshaft also carries arms 91 in which the usual drop rolls 92 are mounted. The shaft is also provided with an arm 93 at the free end of which is a roll 94 which engages cam 62 on the continuously driven shaft 61. When the cam permits the rolls 92 to drop, the same movement draws the gages forwardly and upwardly,- thus removing them from the path of the sheet. When the drop rolls are raised, the gages are moved back into the path of the next sheet.

I claim:

1. In a sheet-feeder, combing devices arranged in tandem relation, oscillatory carriers therefor, the radial distance of one combing device from the axis of its carrier being greater than that of the other, a spring-actuated member having two cam surfaces for acting on said carriers respectively to lift the combing devices, said cam surfaces being different to compensate for the radial difference of said combing devices, whereby said devices will be lifted to the same level, and sheet-controlled means for restraining said spring-actuated member.

2. In a sheet-feeder, two carriers disposed to oscillate about the saine axis, combing devices mounted on said carriers at different distances from said axis, a swing-actuated member having two cam surfaces for acting respectively on said carriers to lift the combing devices, said cam surfaces being different to lift said combing devices to the same level, and sheet-controlled means for restraining said spring-actuated member.

3. In a. sheet-feeder, primary combing means, auxiliary combing means, springactuated means for lifting both combing means, an auxiliary spring for said lifting means, sheet-controlled means for restraining said lifting means, and means controlled by said auxiliary combing means for causing said auxiliary spring to act when said auxiliary combing means is in operation, and

for restraining said auxiliary spring when porting means, and for permitting said auxiliary spring to act When both combing means are in operation.

5. In a sheet-feeder, primary combing means, auxiliary combing means, springactuated means for lifting both combing means, an auxiliary lifting spring for acting upon said lifting means, means for supporting said auxiliary combing means above operative position while said primary combing means is 'in operative position. and means for restraining said auxiliary spring While said supporting means is acting.

6. In a sheet feeder, sheet-feeding means, means arranged to forward the sheets from said sheet-feeding means, combing means arranged to coact with said sheet-feeding means to advance the sheets one at a time to said forwarding means, a feeler arranged in the rear of said forwarding means to detect the presence or absence of a sheet with reference to said forwarding means, and means arranged to be controlled by said feeler to keep said combing means out of contact with the top sheet so long as the sheets are fed at the required speed by said sheet-feeding means.

7. In a sheet feeder, combing means, means for holding the same above the top sheet, means for feeding out the top sheet, a feeler in the rear of said feeding-out means for I v sheet, afeeler in the rear of said feeding out means for engaging the top sheet before a means controlled by said feeler for actuating engaging the top sheet before the latter is advanced to the feeding-out means, and

said holding meansto release said combing means when there is 'no sheet in be engaged by said feeler.

8. In a sheet feeder, primary combing means, auxlllary combing means, means for holding said auxiliary combing means above the top sheet, means for feeding out the top the latter is advanced to the feeding-out means, and means controlled by said feeler for actuating said holding means to release said auxiliary combing means when there ,is no sheet in position to be engaged by said feeler. Y

9. In a sheet feeder, combing means,

means for holding the same'above the top 7 sheet, said holding means being weighted so i Y .as to normally move to operative position,

mean for feeding out the top sheet, a feeler disposed-to rest upon the top sheet at a point in the rear of said feeding-out means, and means connecting said feeler and said holdingmea'nsafor actuating said holding means to release said combing means when f there is no sheet in position to support said feeler.

10. In a sheet feeder, primary combing means, auxiliary combing means, means for holding said auxiliary combing means. above the top sheet, means for feeding out the top sheet, a feeler disposed to rest upon the top sheet at a point in the rear of said feedingout means, and means connecting said feeler and said holding means for actuating said holding means to release said auxiliary combing means when there is no sheet in position to support said feeler.

11. In a sheet feeder, combing means, a detent arranged to coact with said combing means when the latter is raised, to hold the latter out of contact with the sheet, a feeler adapted to rest upon the sheet, means for periodically lifting and dropping saidfeeler, means connecting said feeler and said detent for actuating said detent to release said combing means when there is no sheet in position to support said feeler, and means for periodically lifting said combing means prior-to the dropping of said feeler so that said detentshall be free to be actuated by said feeler,

12.1In a sheet feeder, combing means, means for periodically lifting the same out of contact with the top sheet and holding the same elevated, a detent for holding said combing means outof contact with the top sheet but below the highest position given position to by said lifting means, a-feeler disposed to rest upon the top sheet, means for periodically lifting and dropping said feeler, and

means connectingsaid feeler and said dc tent for actuating said detent to release said combing'means when there is no sheet in po sition to support the feeler, said lifting means being timed to hold the combing means in its highest position when the feeler is dropped and to drop the combing means before the feeler is again lifted.

13. In' a sheet feeder, combing means, means ,including a sheet-actuated member for lifting said combing means above the top-sheet'in consequence of actuation of said member, .a detent for holding said combing means above the top sheet, a feeler disposed to engage the top sheet at a point in the rear of said sheet-actuated member, and means connecting said 'feeler and said detent' for actuating the latter to release said comblng means when there is no sheet in position to support said feeler.

14. In a sheet feeder, combing means,

, spring-actuated means for lifting the same,

and means for restraining said lifting means, said restralnlng means compris ng sheet-actuated member is moved away from' said abutment. I a

15. In a sheet feeder, combing means, spring-actuated means for lift the same,

means for restraining said liftlng mean spring-actuated means for moving said straining means to release said lifting -f means,.said releasin means having a tri'pping member, a eat-actuated .tri

friction roll for coacti tripping member to facilitate the actuation of said sheet-actuated member.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature, in presence of two VERNON GARNER.

-Witr$sses: P 4

v ALTER ABELL,

. ,PP member, and a fulcrum for the latter, one of said tripping members having an antiwith the other 

